So far, I don't know what it means to be the champion. I'm just glad I have the belt.
Thiago Santos is a guy who can take your belt from you with one punch.
In our league, it comes right down to the end.
I'm the best heavyweight outside the world champions, and let's not forget that.
Only one champion stands at the end of the year, so just making the playoffs isn't enough.
I probably should have been fighting at 155 for a long time, but I was so close to the top at 145.
I believe, if I beat Demian Maia, it's going to be very hard for the other top guys to go around me.
I'm a champion, I have to defend this belt.
I wanted to see if I could win a championship in San Antonio.
It's the Playoffs. This is what you play for.
If you've led the championship after seven races you should be fighting for the title.
It is always nice to play for the bigger teams, contesting titles and Champions League rather than relegation.
I wanted to win an SEC championship and a national championship. Those are the main goals.
I want the Intercontinental title to be seen as more than just a 'mid-card belt.' The Intercontinental Champion used to be seen as a threat to the WWE Champion. My goal is to return the Intercontinental Championship to that level of importance.
It's cool to make the playoffs. It's not cool to lose in the first round anymore. The goal is to make the Finals.
I expect The Rock would want to keep his pretty face intact for Hollywood. He better stay away from me in the ring. But honestly, anybody who wants to get into the ring with me and take the world title, just try!
I've had people say I'm inconsistent, and sure, I've never held a UFC or WEC title.
When you are challenging for the world title, you've got to go into the lion's den to try and rip that belt away from the champion.
My first MMA fight was July 2006 here in Brazil. I won a few fights here in Brazil, and then I got a chance to fight in the UFC, but they put me against the number one contender for the title at that time. It was Fabricio Werdum.
Winning the NFC championship affords you a chance at the next opportunity.
I think all 32 teams have the goal of winning a championship, that goes without saying.
If I want to fight for a 155-pound title - if I hold the 145-pound title - give me the fight.
If Amanda Nunes truly wants an opportunity at the 145-lb. belt, a win against any ranked contender in that division would help establish her back in a weight class she left before fighting me.
I don't care if I ever fight for the belt or get the belt.
It took me 10 fights to get the damn interim title shot and then 11 to get an undisputed shot.
